Chapter 172: Hitzfeld’s Adjustment

Motta made a forward run, broke through, and passed to Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho dribbled forward before distributing the ball to Luque. Luque took a first-time shot, forcing Kahn into a desperate save, but Eto'o was lightning-quick to pounce on the rebound and smash it into the net!

It all happened in a flash. By the time the fans in the stands and those watching on TV could process what had just transpired, the ball was already nestled in Bayern's net, lying there quietly…

"GOAL! A beautiful counterattack! Kahn managed to stop Luque's one-on-one effort, but he was powerless against Eto'o's immediate follow-up! Bayern's slow defensive reaction cost them dearly! Kahn has done everything he could, but the defensive line in front of him is simply frustratingly unreliable…"

Eto'o, Luque, and Ronaldinho embraced tightly!

From the moment the attack was launched from midfield, these three were the final executioners. And time and time again, they had lived up to José's expectations—never letting him down, never disappointing Mallorca's fans!

On the sidelines, José exchanged high-fives with his assistant coaches and substitute players, satisfied not just with the goal itself but also with the way his team had executed it. Mallorca had demonstrated great fighting spirit even on the road, and more importantly, their attacking system had remained intact. José could already envision Mallorca's glorious future!

When Motta had the ball, he had two teammates available for a pass. When Ronaldinho received it, he also had two passing options ahead of him. If Rufete got the ball on the right flank, Ronaldinho and Motta would be there to support him. Even when the two strikers received possession, whether it was their strike partner or an overlapping winger, there were always two available passing outlets.

Every player in possession had a triangular support structure around them. These triangles weren't equilateral; their size and angles varied depending on the situation. But no matter what, there were always teammates available on either side, constantly moving into space to create passing options.

For a team like Mallorca that aims to play technical, possession-based football, such short-passing combinations were essential. This wasn't an attack that relied on just one or two playmakers—it was a system built on team-wide chemistry, excellent close control, and intelligent passing. Fortunately, Mallorca was a La Liga team, and Spanish players were naturally skilled in these areas. That made it easier for José to establish the foundation of his playing philosophy.

José's stance was clear: no matter the cost to short-term results, this foundational style had to be maintained. A great coach can make the most of the players at his disposal, but for a club to develop a long-term identity, its core principles must remain unchanged, regardless of any tactical adjustments.

In truth, José could rely on his future knowledge to sign players who fit his tactics. But how long could that advantage last? Ten years? Maybe twenty? Certainly not forever. Besides, he needed to generate wealth through smart transfers—buying low and selling high. That meant Mallorca's youth academy had to play a crucial role. And youth development isn't just about producing talented players; it's about creating a constant supply of first-team-ready talent.

Look at Barcelona and Real Madrid in the future—they would become two starkly different examples.

Barcelona's youth system mirrored the first team's style and training philosophy. Young players could seamlessly integrate into the senior squad. From Messi to Pedro, Xavi to Iniesta, and later players like Thiago and Cuenca—Barça's academy graduates were plug-and-play. This allowed them to make only one or two major signings per year while maintaining their core through homegrown talent. Ironically, big-money transfers often struggled to adapt—Zlatan Ibrahimović was a prime example. Barcelona's success was built on a consistent tactical identity, unchanged for over two decades.

Real Madrid, on the other hand? Their youth players were just as talented, but the club rarely used them. Instead, they relied on superstar signings like Cristiano Ronaldo, Özil, Benzema, and high-profile defenders like Pepe and Ramos. When their expensive signings performed well, Madrid thrived. When those players struggled, so did the team. Their transfer policy determined their success, and frequent managerial changes meant there was no tactical continuity. As a result, academy players couldn't compete with the experienced stars brought in from elsewhere.

Barcelona's problem? Their signings were often less effective than their homegrown players.

Real Madrid's problem? Their homegrown players were rarely as good as their signings.

José's goal? Every player—whether developed internally or bought from outside—must thrive under his management. He wanted the best of both worlds, without the weaknesses.

To achieve this, he needed a productive academy that consistently produced players suited to his system. The first team and the youth teams had to share the same tactical philosophy, like a production line where every component fit perfectly. When it came to transfers, he had to recruit players whose skills aligned with Mallorca's style.

Rufete was a great example. As a Spanish player with solid technical ability, he adapted quickly and built chemistry with the squad. The same applied to Klasnić, whose pace and technique complemented the team well. Conversely, Didier Drogba—a future superstar—would require significant adaptation time because his playing style wasn't a natural fit for Mallorca.

But José had time. He was confident he could mold Drogba into a completely different type of player.

Now, seeing his system hold its own against a powerhouse like Bayern Munich only strengthened his belief in this philosophy. It had taken more than a year to start seeing results, proving just how difficult this was to implement. But the harder the task, the greater the rewards upon success.

—

After falling behind, Bayern's players were fired up. Their previous attacking patterns had been disrupted, leading to Mallorca's counterattacking goal. But the Bundesliga giants weren't about to be defeated so easily. One goal wasn't enough to shake their confidence.

Hitzfeld quickly adjusted his tactics. Instead of blindly attacking from the flanks—despite their dangerous wing play—he opted for a more direct approach through the middle. Bayern's crossing ability was formidable, but with their limited aerial threat in the center, their attacks often looked threatening without being truly effective.

For the remainder of the first half, Bayern increased their central penetration. Their full-backs pushed forward to draw Mallorca's wingers wide, creating space in the middle. Effenberg became much more active, while Sergio frequently drifted inside to attract Motta and Kaladze's attention. This left Mallorca's center-backs, Van Buyten and Nadal, isolated against Bayern's quick and technical strikers.

Hitzfeld had found Mallorca's defensive weakness. José saw the problem, but adjusting immediately was difficult. If he focused too much on the center, Bayern would exploit the flanks instead.

Mallorca was caught between a rock and a hard place. And just before halftime, Bayern's relentless attacks paid off.

Effenberg played a precise pass to Elber, who expertly evaded Van Buyten before driving into the box. Before Nadal could close him down, Elber calmly slotted the ball into the far corner. Franco reacted well but was a split second too late—1-1, Bayern had equalized.

As the ball hit the net, the Munich Olympic Stadium erupted in wild celebration. Bayern fans had already been frustrated by their team's struggle against Mallorca. Seeing their side fall behind had only made things worse. But now, after an extended period of dominance, they had finally drawn level. Their joy was palpable.

Hitzfeld, usually composed, lost his cool. He raised both fists in the air, pumping them furiously toward the stands.

He had won everything with Bayern—two Champions League titles with Dortmund and Bayern solidified his status as Germany's "golden coach." But Bayern's inconsistent start to this season had put him under pressure. The club's powerful management trio—Beckenbauer, Hoeneß, and Rummenigge—had been questioning whether his long tenure was making the team stale.

Bayern operated like a pure professional club. Unlike clubs with a single powerful owner or president, Bayern was run by former players who understood the game inside and out. Beckenbauer, Hoeneß, and Rummenigge were all exceptional football minds. However, their aging leadership raised questions about Bayern's future direction.

This season, Hitzfeld had felt the weight of expectations. That's why he celebrated this goal with such uncharacteristic intensity—it was more than just an equalizer. It was a statement.